« Process

GitHub Disclosure

GitHub provides several features to facilitate the security disclosure process for open-source projects, ensuring timely and effective resolution of vulnerabilities. Below are key features of GitHub’s security disclosure process:

  1. Private Reporting:
    • GitHub offers a secure and private channel for reporting security vulnerabilities directly to project maintainers. Users can submit vulnerability reports confidentially, allowing maintainers to assess and address the issues before they are publicly disclosed.
    • Private reporting helps prevent premature disclosure of vulnerabilities, giving maintainers the opportunity to develop and deploy fixes before potential attackers exploit the vulnerabilities.
  2. Publishing the Vulnerability:
    • Once a vulnerability has been identified, GitHub provides tools for publishing detailed descriptions of the vulnerability, including its impact, affected versions of the library or package, and relevant Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers.
    • Maintainers can document the vulnerability on GitHub, providing clear and comprehensive information for users and stakeholders. This documentation helps users understand the nature and severity of the vulnerability and take appropriate action to protect their systems.
  3. CVE Requests:
    • GitHub supports the request and assignment of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) identifiers for reported vulnerabilities. Maintainers can request CVE identifiers directly through GitHub’s security advisory interface.
    • GitHub streamlines the process of requesting CVE identifiers, reducing the administrative burden on maintainers and ensuring that vulnerabilities are properly cataloged and tracked in the CVE database.
    • By assigning CVE identifiers, maintainers contribute to the standardization and visibility of vulnerability information, enabling better coordination and collaboration within the security community.

GitHub’s security disclosure process features empower maintainers to effectively manage security vulnerabilities in their projects while maintaining transparency and accountability. From private reporting channels to streamlined CVE requests, GitHub provides a comprehensive toolkit for handling security incidents and safeguarding the integrity of open-source software projects.

You can see an example for this process in a disclosure for one of ErlEFs libraries.

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